NEWS: Big Thunder Mountain inspires new ABC TV show

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118062169

 

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is on the track to TV.

 

ABC has bought a supernatural adventure drama script from Chris Morgan and Jason Fuchs based on the Disneyland and Disney World roller-coaster ride.

 

ABC Studio is producing. Morgan and Fuchs would exec produce.

 

Fuchs is an actor and writer who penned the bigscreen animation pic "Ice Age: Continental Drift," released last summer.

 

Chris Morgan is currently working on the sixth installment of "The Fast and the Furious" franchise for Universal. He has written other "Fast and Furious" installments as well.

 

Disney's movie division has fared well in its efforts to tap into the company's theme park offerings, specifically with "Pirates of the Caribbean." "The Haunted Mansion" with Eddie Murphy was a box office disappointment, however.

 

 

Edited November 14, 2012 by jedimaster1227

[TPDave]

This is really interesting! Like the article points out they've had mixed success with "ride to film" conversions but hopefully it turns out well!

[BeemerBoy]

Fuchs is an actor and writer who penned the bigscreen animation pic "Ice Age: Continental Drift," released last summer.

 

Chris Morgan is currently working on the sixth installment of "The Fast and the Furious" franchise for Universal. He has written other "Fast and Furious" installments as well.

Wonderful. I'll just pretend this isn't actually happening.

[cfc]

I'm sure it'll be better than "Dusty's Trail."

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZiuynWOJpc

[azza29]

Well, at least they're not retheming BTMM to The Lone Ranger...

[KBrylczyk]

Well, at least they're not retheming BTMM to ::CENSORED::...

 

You there! Delete that comment before one of them higher ups reads it and gets an idea!

[Double0Kevin]

I'll withhold any judgment until I see the end result. I will say that I can see this fairing better as a TV show, than a movie.

[Meteornotes]

I'm sure it'll be better than "Dusty's Trail."

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZiuynWOJpc

 

I'm pretty sure striking yourself in the head with a hammer repeatedly for half an hour would be better than Dusty's Trail.

 

dt

[Jew]

I suspect the final product will have little connection to the ride outside of being in a mining town with thunder mountain as the landmark. I'm not expecting to see any episodes explaining the backstory of Thunder Mountain.

Edited November 15, 2012 by Jew

[David H]

What exactly does a supernatural drama have to do with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? It sound like someone is trying to add a Disney connection to a show they were already planning to try to get it picked up by ABC.

[laqueefa]

I think I need Morgan Freeman to explain this to me

[cfc]

I'm sure it'll be better than "Dusty's Trail."

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZiuynWOJpc

 

I'm pretty sure striking yourself in the head with a hammer repeatedly for half an hour would be better than Dusty's Trail.

 

dt

 

It was "Gilligan's Island on the Prairie."

[Double0Kevin]

What exactly does a supernatural drama have to do with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? It sound like someone is trying to add a Disney connection to a show they were already planning to try to get it picked up by ABC.

 

Well, since Disney owns ABC, there isn't a whole lot of trying to get ABC to pick it up, so much as them saying "This is your new show."

[WFChris]

So is this show going to come out before or after the 10 month BTMRR rehab at DL? Seems like bad timing to have the ride down during this shows premier. I know there are other BTMRR's out there, but still

[Wes]

A network buying a script versus having a show go on air is like saying you touched a boob and now the girl is pregnant.

[-Edge of Beast-]

Hmm.. I have mixed feelings so far, although we haven't gotten much information about it, so I shouldn't judge. It does seem interesting though!

[gisco]

I'll reserve judgment until this project gets farther along if it does. Even if this does get a green light to proceed, it will be at least a year to year and a half before it will make it to the little screen.

[RCFreak]

There are also hundreds of pilots bought and dozens shot every year that never see the light of day either. I can see a TV movie first to see if it's even viable as a successful venture for the company (unless the script is actually amazing)

 

From Wikipedia

Each summer, the major American broadcast television networks—including ABC, CBS, The CW, FOX, and NBC—receive about 500 brief elevator pitches for new shows from writers and producers. That fall, each network requests scripts for about 70 pitches and, the following January, orders about 20 pilot episodes.[3] By spring, actors are cast and production crews assembled to produce the pilots.[4]

[Wes]

^ Yep. Exactly. I'd be shocked if this made it to even a pilot.

[SharkTums]

^I would agree with you, except somehow this made it pretty far!!!

 

[jray21]

I hope it's as good as the movie that was based on a ride, Haunted Mansion!

[WFChris]

What exactly does a supernatural drama have to do with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? It sound like someone is trying to add a Disney connection to a show they were already planning to try to get it picked up by ABC.

 

Perhaps the 10 month rehab on DL's BTMRR will include incorporating the back story into the ride to better promote the TV show?

[SharkTums]

^Whoa Whoa Whoa!!! DL's Big Thunder is going down for 10 months?!!??! When? That's crazy...they better add a lot in that time, like a barrel roll or something!

[Wes]

^ Probably more barrel theming if we're lucky.

[cfc]

^Whoa Whoa Whoa!!! DL's Big Thunder is going down for 10 months?!!??! When? That's crazy...they better add a lot in that time, like a barrel roll or something!

 

I'd be happy if they would substantially upgrade the freakin' "earthquake" effects (not just at DL, but on all the Big Thunders).